Street Fighter V was a highly anticipated game that ended up having a rough couple of years. The game launched with barebones content, and while more and more was gradually added, it never reached the heights of great Street Fighter games past. Capcom has taken steps to address this and now the game has undergone a massive relaunch as Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition. But is this a welcome change, or is it too late?
Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition certainly lives up to its name. One of the biggest criticisms of Street Fighter V at launch ( and for years) was that it lacked an arcade mode of any kind. In fact, it lacked virtually anything for players who were not interested in only playing online. There was mini story modes, and a full story mode was added later, but aside from very miniscule endurance modes, there was nothing for players offline. Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition changes all of this by adding arcade mode and several more features.
First, let me talk about Arcade Mode. Arcade mode is arranged by game, so you will take on characters in relation to the game they appeared in. This is a fun trip down memory lane and also serves to add a new type of arcade mode experience. There have been different types of arcade ladder variations before, but not quite like this. It feels like Capcom truly wanted to make sure there was enough single player content in this mode to keep everyone happy, and with the set up and variety, I think they did well. There are also new challenges and other single player modes to try out, and there are some interesting surprises here. Its not as extensive as say, a Netherrealm fighting game, but its far above what Street Fighter V was before, which again was extremely minimal.
There have also been a variety of changes to the gameplay. New expansions of moves and abilities, compliment the action along with improved visuals. It isn’t a feast for the eyes so much as a polishing of what was once dusted and muddied. I do also like the addition of Team Battle Mode, and I like it because Street Fighter is now stepping out of its comfort zone. Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition feels less like an apology addition as some called it, more as a rebirth of not only Street Fighter V specifically, but Street Fighter the series in general. The online has been expanded, the characters expanded, and so on. yes this feels like what Street Fighter V should have been at launch, but it is also clear that Capcom took the criticism ( and lack of sales) to heart. I had abandoned playing Street Fighter V early on, but now I am happy to come back and play again. I did not think it possible, but Capcom managed to win me back over. I say give this a go, because if you give them the chance, and they will win you back over as well!